Systems and methods for promoting biological responses in incubated eggs

ABSTRACT

A system and method to promote biological responses within incubated eggs using lighting devices within an incubation chamber. A light supporting device is installed within the incubation chamber in spaced relation to an incubation device housing a plurality of eggs. The light supporting device is positioned to direct light at pre-determined wavelengths into the interior cavity of the incubation device to irradiate the plurality of eggs to promote a. biological response within the eggs.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/218,818, entitled “System and Method forPromoting Hatchability”, filed on Sep. 15, 2015, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/274,929, entitled “Incubating Devices andMethods”, filed on Jan. 5, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/297,322, entitled “Systems and Methods for PromotingBiological Responses in Incubated Eggs”, filed on Feb. 19, 2016, thebenefit of priority of each of which is claimed hereby, and each ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, topromoting biological responses in incubated eggs including survival ofavian from eggs. More specifically, to a lighting system and method forpromoting hatchability and sex selection in eggs.

BACKGROUND

Egg production, in avian such as chickens or turkeys has become acommercial industry. In a commercial hatchery, initially eggs arefertilized, either naturally, or through artificial insemination. Theeggs often are then refrigerated until ready for incubation. Thefertilized eggs are then harvested or conveyed and placed into anincubation chamber or device to promote the hatching of the eggs. Inthis manner the female avian continues laying additional eggs, oradditional eggs are fertilized and environmental conditions can becontrolled within the incubating device.

Incubation chambers essentially are entire environmentally controlledrooms sealed to the outside environment where large multi-trayedincubation devices are stored. In an attempt to promote and maximizehatchability environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity andthe like are controlled. Typically the temperature within the incubationchamber is controlled to be between 90°-105° F. and typically around 99°F. This is done in many manners known in the art including but notlimited to use of a heater in conjunction with a fan to blow warm airevenly throughout an incubation chamber. The humidity is controlled tokeep the relative humidity at least above 45%.

Controlling the heat within the incubation chambers can be managed byperiodically during the incubation process rearranging trays within anincubating device to ensure even heating for all eggs within the system.In addition, heat within the room is even monitored to address theamount of heat produced by the embryos themselves as they develop.

Within some incubation chambers fan elements are provided along withtemperature control units such as temperature regulating coils areutilized to heat and cool the environment. The temperature regulatingcoils present a conduit forming a plurality of parallel spaced apartradiating members having fluid flowing therethrough within theincubation chamber. The fan element is often a commercial fan having aplurality of blade elements of comparable height as an incubating deviceor multiple fan elements is/are positioned adjacent the temperaturecontrol units to convey the cooling air throughout the interior of thechamber.

Another feature of incubation chambers in the art is that they aredesigned to fit as many eggs as possible into each chamber with limitedroom for unused space. The incubation chambers are lined up in side byside relation with sealed doors closing each chamber. The incubatingdevices themselves are rolled into each chamber. Often a rail element isutilized at the side the chamber to help guide the incubation deviceswithin the chamber and keep the incubation devices centered in thechamber to facilitate removal and to prevent the incubating devices fromhitting auxiliary units within the incubation chamber such as the fanelement or the temperature control unit.

In some incubation chambers the fan element and temperature control unitare located between two adjoined chambers in between the doors so thatthe fan and temperature control unit, control the airflow and heatwithin the two adjoined chambers. While the rail element prevents theincubating devices from running into these auxiliary devices within thechamber, very little room remains between the rail element and auxiliarydevices.

In addition, cleanliness is extremely important in the incubationchamber. Upon removal of the incubation devices cleaning agents and highpressure water are utilized to clean all surfaces within the chamber.

Regarding the incubation devices themselves, there are multiple types ofincubation devices. A first type is referred to as a setter thatpresents a frame with a plurality of trays that hold the eggs. The trayshave openings therein of size and shape to receive an egg and there isno place for chicks from hatched eggs to be held. Setters are used onlyfor incubating purposes and hold as many eggs as possible and presentrotating trays where often a rotation frame that fits within the frameof the incubation device is utilized. The second type of incubationdevice is referred to as a hatcher, A hatcher also has trays withopenings to receive eggs, but either the tray itself is a basket elementthat both holds the eggs and chicks when they hatch or alternatively aseparate basket element is provided underneath the trays so as the eggshatch they drop into the basket elements to hold the hatched chicks. Thebasket elements are perforated to allow continued air flow through thedevice.

Typically, eggs are first placed in a setter during a first incubationperiod of incubation and then transferred into a hatcher during a secondincubation period or hatching period of incubation. The predeterminedperiod of the first incubation period is dependent on egg type and forcertain eggs, for example only, this is 15 days, for others 18.Similarly, the second incubation period is also dependent on egg typeand typically is at least 48 hours or more. Alternatively, once thefirst incubation period within the incubation chamber is reached, theenvironmental conditions of the incubation chamber are altered duringthe second incubation period and eggs are not transferred and insteadthe incubation device has basket elements to hold the hatched chicks,Because of the size and shape of the basket elements more eggs can beplaced into the setters making use of separate setters and hatchersadvantageous. While setters and hatchers have been described, otherincubating devices are contemplated by the disclosure.

In addition, the incubation devices are designed to further promotehatchability. In particular, the incubating device has a plurality ofrotating trays that rotate the eggs periodically to +/−15°-30° of center(0°). The conditions on the eggs, including but not limited to thetemperature, humidity and movement are controlled specifically to mimicconditions presented in nature and tested to detennine the optimumconditions to promote hatching within the eggs.

The incubation device is also designed to maximize worker efficiencies.In particular, the incubation devices are open on at least one side andare designed so that the trays or alternatively the egg holders on thetrays or basket elements can be slidably inserted and removed from theincubation device. In this manner eggs and/or chicks are quickly andefficiently inserted and removed from the incubation devices.

Typically light for the eggs is not used in such an environment, eitherin the incubation chamber or on the incubation device and eggs areincubated in darkness. Based on previous research the use of light inhatcheries has largely been discouraged. While the use of light has beenseen as advantageous in certain instances, improper use of light hasbeen shown to provide potentially negative results within a commercialhatchery.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,758 to Coleman, Coleman teaches introducingdifferent colored lighting into an incubation device and Colemanexamined the effect of the light on hatchability, hatch time and chickweight. Coleman was careful to warn that the exposure of the coloredlight on the egg needed to substantially take place over the period ofbuoyancy (first 9 days of incubation) and only directed through the aircell adjacent the broadened end of the egg to avoid deleterious effectsotherwise occasioned because of internal heating of the egg. ThusColeman utilized a fiber optic cable to concentrate light at this point.Coleman concluded that the period of illumination treatment shouldextend to about the third day to improve hatchability and to decreasehatching time lighting should occur during days 1-9 of incubation.Treatment during days 9-17 were seen as a manner in which to improvechick weight. Still, Coleman's fiber optic system is difficult toimplement and full exposure of light on the egg was discouraged byColeman causing complex design issues in a commercial setting.

Rozenboim, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,500, studied the use of monochromaticgreen light on eggs in an incubating device and determined the lightsimply had no effect on fertility or hatchability during trials comparedto darkness. As indicated in the '500 patent this was consistent withincandescent white light that showed no effect on hatchability on turkeyeggs. Consequently, lighting typically is not used in the hatchingprocess because lighting devices tend to produce significant amounts ofheat that must be accounted for in the controlled hatching environmentand in order to protect the incubated eggs, complex lighting systemswhere needed. Thus eggs are incubated in darkness throughout theindustry.

SUMMARY

A principle object of this document is to provide an incubating devicethat promotes biological responses within eggs in a commercialincubation chamber. Another object of this document is to provide alight supporting device within an incubation chamber that preventsinefficiencies in the commercial setting. These and other objects,features, advantages and improvements will become apparent from thespecification and claims.

Presented are incubation systems and methods that utilize lightingdevices to promote biological responses within the incubated eggs,including increased hatchability and sex selection. The systems includelight supporting devices that are installed into new or preexistingincubation chambers by either securing the light supporting devices toan incubation device or securing the light supporting device within theincubation chamber spaced apart from the incubation device.

According to one example the light supporting device is removablysecured to the body of an incubating device to allow the lightsupporting device to be removed when insertion of eggs or removal ofeggs is desired by a user. Directional lighting elements and supportmember location utilized to ensure as much surface area of the eggs inthe interior cavity of the incubation device is irradiated by the lightdevices of the light supporting device.

In another example utilizes a control system to promote biologicalresponses within the incubated eggs by providing light of pre-determinedwavelengths and for pre-determined periods of light and dark. Thecontrol system dims and actuates the lighting devices to provide thedesired color and photoperiod for the egg type being incubated topromote the biological responses within the incubated eggs.

In yet another example a narrow band of wavelengths is provided to thelighting devices of the light supporting device in spaced relation fromthe incubation device. Through use of directional lighting and placementwithin the incubation chamber light penetrates the interior cavity ofthe incubating device to promote biological responses within theincubated eggs. Light is provided at pre-determined wavelengths,including to account for egg type and shell penetration depths topromote the biological responses.

An additional example includes the use of a light supporting device thatlies in a single plane. Circuitry is utilized on that same substrate asthe lighting elements to reduce the size of the lighting deviceseliminate heat. By providing a light supporting device that lies in asingle plane the light supporting device is able to be installed intopre-existing incubation chambers adjacent incubation devices despite alack of space with such incubation chambers. Further, the lightingdevices provide both a spectral output within 15 nm of 640 nm and within15 nm of 450 nm to promote biological responses in incubated eggs.

In another aspect the present techniques include providing methods forinstalling a light supporting devices within an incubation chamber. Thisincludes light supporting devices that have adjustable foot members thatcompression fit the light supporting devices between the ceiling andfloor of the incubation chamber along with light supporting devices thatsecure to auxiliary devices within the incubation chamber and conveyheat to these auxiliary devices.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter ofthe present patent application. It is not intended to provide anexclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detaileddescription is included to provide further information about the presentpatent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. The drawingsillustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation,various embodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an incubation chamber.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a setter incubation device with a lightsupporting device secured thereto.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a hatcher incubation device with alight supporting device secured thereto.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a setter incubation device with a lightsupporting device secured thereto.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a light supporting device.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a light supporting device.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a light supporting device.

FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view of a light supporting device.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a multi-piece light supporting device.

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a lighting device.

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of circuitry for a lighting device.

FIG. 6A is a graph showing the relative luminous power for wavelengthswhen a lighting device has a spectral output at 100% intensity.

FIG. 6B is a graph showing the relative luminous power for wavelengthswhen a lighting device has a spectral output at 5% intensity.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a control system for a lighting device.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of a light supporting device within anincubation chamber.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a light supporting device withinan incubation chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant determined that one can utilize light on incubated eggs topromote a biological response within the eggs. In particular, certainnarrow bands of wavelengths and/or combinations of narrow bands cansignificantly improve hatchability of avian eggs when illuminating theentire egg during incubation. As described in US. Pub. No. 2014/0158050to Graj car, which is incorporated in full herein, narrow wavelengthbands were shown to significantly improve hatchability of avian eggs. Inaddition, as disclosed in the '050 publication, energy from differentwavelengths of light can also be used to promote other biologicalresponses within the eggs including selecting the sex of a hatchedchick. In particular, the '050 publication showed that light could beused within an incubation device to influence the sex of the hatchedchick.

However, additional problems remain. While improving hatchability andselecting sex in a lab setting is possible, adopting technologies to acommercial setting is problematic. In commercial hatcheries speed inimportant and trays holding eggs must be removable to allow quickinsertion and removal of eggs within the incubating device. In addition,lighting devices produce heat that again can affect eggs within theincubation device and alter the environment in an incubation device.Additionally, electricity remains expensive, even when energy efficientlighting is utilized, adding costs to egg production. Further, currentcommercial hatcheries are not built to accommodate lighting therein. Infact, current hatcheries are built to fit as many eggs into anincubation space as possible leaving little room for additionalcomponents of any kind. Thus a need in the art exists to promotebiological responses within eggs of an incubation chamber and operate toavoid slowing or hurting overall production.

FIG. 1 shows an incubation chamber 1 generally having an open interior 2closed and sealed by a door member 3 When closed the door member 3 formsan airtight seal to keep the internal environmental conditions withinthe interior 2 controlled.

At least one temperature control member 4 is within the incubationchamber 1 that in one embodiment is a radiating coil having fluidconveyed therethrough to provide heat or cool air to keep the interior 2at a predetermined temperature. In one embodiment a fan element 5 isspaced apart from the temperature control member 4 to convey air throughthe incubation chamber to ensure even temperature distributionthroughout the incubation chamber 1. The fan element 5 extends theheight of the incubation chamber 1 to circulate air accordingly. In oneembodiment an incubation chamber has two door members that seal to theoutside and the fan element 5 is positioned between the door elements tobe centrally located within the incubation chamber 1 and again conveyair and thus provide temperature control throughout the incubationchamber 1.

A control unit 6 is electrically, or digitally through over the aircommunication, connected to the fan element 5, temperature controlmember 4, and sensor elements 7 and 8 that monitor the environmentalconditions within the incubation chamber 1. In one embodiment the sensorelements 7 and 8 are a humidity sensor and temperature sensor,respectively. In one example, the control unit 6 is located on theexterior of the incubation chamber 1 to provide read outs of theenvironmental conditions with the incubation chamber 1 for a user. Thecontrol unit 6 operably actuates the temperature control member 4 andfan element 5 to keep both the humidity and temperature at constantsthroughout a predetermined incubation period.

Rail elements 9 are disposed within and extend in the interior 2 of theincubation chamber 1 generally in front of the temperature controlmember 4 and fan element 5. In particular, the rail elements 9 arepresented to protect the temperature control member 4 and fan element 5,and are spaced apart therefrom such that when incubating devices 10 areput into the incubation chamber 1, typically rolled in, the incubationdevices 10 engage the rail element 9 instead of the temperature controlmember 4 or fan element 5. The rail elements 9 also assist in guidingand centering the incubation devices 10 into the interior 2 so that amaximum number of incubation devices 10 can be placed within theinterior 2 of the incubation chamber 1.

The incubating device 10 is of any type, including but not limited tosetters or setting devices e.g., FIGS. 2A, 2C), hatchers or hatchingdevices e.g., FIG. 2B) and the like. In the illustrative embodiments theincubating devices 10 have a body 12 that is a frame that has agenerally rectangular cuboid shape having vertical support members 14 inparallel to each other. The vertical support members 14 are connected toand orthogonal to horizontal support members (20, 54) that arethemselves in parallel to each other. While the body or frame 12 isopen, the frame has a hollow interior cavity 24.

A plurality of holding members 27 such as trays 28 or basket elements 29are disposed within the interior cavity 24 to hold a plurality of eggs30 within a plurality of stabilizing members 35 such as but not limitedto slots, holes, openings, cups or the like that are configured to holdand prevent movement of an egg 30. In one embodiment the holding member27 is made of a transparent material to allow light to pass through theholding member 27 to permit complete irradiation of the eggs 30. In someembodiments both a tray 28 and basket element 29 are utilized with thebasket element 29 underneath the tray 28 to receive hatched chicks. Inanother embodiment the basket elements 29 themselves both hold the eggs30 and provide an area for the hatched chicks. The holding members 27 inone embodiment are slidably within the body 12 such that each holdingmember 27 can be pulled out of the interior so that the eggs 30 can beretrieved. The eggs 30 can be of any avian species, including, but notlimited to chicken eggs, turkey eggs, and the like. Reptilian and otherspecies' eggs may also be used.

In some embodiments a tilting system 36 is provided that receives theholding members 27 to cause the holding members 27 to rotate or tilt tovarious angles in response to simulate the movement the egg 30 wouldencounter in nature, for example, as the egg is laid upon by a hen orsubject to other environmental conditions. In one example, each holdingmember 28 is mounted on a rotatable axle 37 mounted to and controlled bya rotational actuator 39. The actuator 39 is itself mounted to the body12, and is operative to move the holding members 27 with respect to thebody 12 as is known in the art. The actuator may continuously orperiodically move the holding members 27 having the eggs 30 disposedthereon. In the one example, the actuator 39 is operative to rotate theholding member 27 between a horizontal position (as shown) and angledpositions in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. The angledpositions may correspond to angles measured from the horizontal, and mayrange between 0° and a maximum angle (e.g., 15° or 30°). The maximumangle is generally selected such that even when the holding member 27 isrotated to the maximum angle, any eggs 30 disposed on or in holdingmember 27 are not dislodged from the stabilizing member 35.

FIGS. 2A-2C, 3A-3C and 4A-4B show the light supporting device 50 havingvertical support members 52 aligning with the vertical support members14 of the body 12 and horizontal support members 54 aligning with thehorizontal support members 2.0 of the body 12. The light supportingdevice 50 has auxiliary horizontal support members 56 extending betweenthe vertical support members 14. The auxiliary horizontal supportmembers 56 align with an edge of a holding member 27. In one embodimentthe support members of the light supporting device 50 are of one-piececonstruction. While described and shown in the Figures as a solid framewith support members, light supporting device is any device, including ahung wire or the like that supports a plurality of lighting devices 60in a manner that allows light from the lighting devices 60 to irradiatethe eggs 30 within the cavity 24.

In each embodiment a plurality of lighting devices 60 are secured to thelight supporting device 50 and attached to the auxiliary horizontalsupport members 56. The lighting devices 60 are spaced apart evenlyacross the light supporting device 50, in one embodiment in a grid likemanner, such that a generally evenly spread out intensity of light isprovided on the eggs 30. In particular, the lighting devices are spacedsuch that when the support device is secured in place the lightingdevices are laterally spaced from the vertical support members 14 of thebody 12. This provides for maximum coverage of eggs 30 within theholding members 27. In addition, the light supporting device 50 ingeneral is in a single plane and is of size and shape to fit within thespace formed between the rail element 9 and either the temperaturecontrol member 4 or fan element 5 to minimize the space taken up by thelight supporting device 50 within the interior and allow the lightsupporting device 50 to fit within the incubating device 10.

The lighting devices 60 can be of any type, including but not limited toincandescent lights, compact fluorescent lights, high pressure solidlights, LED lights or the like. Similarly, the lighting devices can bestrip lights on a single plane, individual LEDs, tube lights or thelike. In one embodiment as provided in FIG. 5A the lighting devices 60are tube lights having an elongated tubular body 62 The elongatedtubular body 62 in one embodiment utilizes reflective material on halfof its surface to reflect light in a single direction. The elongatedtubular body 62 also has a hollow interior 64 that receives a substrate66 that in one embodiment is a printed circuit board having circuitry ordriving components 68 thereon to operate lighting elements 70 that inone embodiment are a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) securedto the substrate 66. The substrate 66 engages the interior of theelongated tubular body 62 such that heat from the circuitry or drivingcomponents 68 and lighting elements 70 (LEDs) is conveyed from thesubstrate 66 to the elongated tubular body. Any additional heat sinkengaging the substrate can be utilized without falling outside the scopeof the present devices or techniques.

The lighting elements 70 are directional and when used in combinationwith the reflective material of the elongated tubular body 62 toincrease light within the interior cavity 24, the maximum amount oflight is directed toward the interior cavity 24 of the device 10. As aresult of the directional nature of the lighting elements 70 the lightsupporting device 50 is designed so that when positioned in its place toemit light on the eggs 30 the lighting elements are angled to directlight that is away from or does not emitt on the vertical supportmembers 14 of the body to provide an even spread of light on the eggs 30without losing light due to reflection or blocking by the body 12.Further, the lighting elements 70 of the lighting devices 60 arepositioned direct light at an angle that accounts for the rotation ofthe holding members 27 to ensure the amount of light on the surface areaincreases as rotation occurs in a first direction. In addition, morethan one light supporting device 50 can be utilized and attached to adifferent side of the incubation device 10 to increase the light withinthe cavity 24. Thus, as a result of the directional nature of thelighting elements 70, the positioning of the light supporting device 50or use of multiple light supporting devices 60, all exposed surfaces ofthe plurality of eggs are irradiated. Thus efficiencies are increased.

End caps 72 are secured to the ends of the elongated tubular body 62 andare of type to seal the hollow interior 64 while providing access towiring 74 to provide electrical power to the lighting devices 60 and topermit the lighting devices 60 to be electrically connected via aplurality of electrical connectors 76. The end caps 72 in one embodimentprovide a water proof seal such that when a wash down of the body occursthe ingress of water within the lighting device 60 is prevented, andwater does not penetrate within the tubular body 62.

FIG. 5B shows the substrate 66 having circuitry or driving components68. The circuitry is similar to that taught in U.S. Pat. No. 8,373,363entitled, “Reduction of Harmonic Distortion for LED Loads”, by Z.Grajcar, issued on Feb. 12, 2013, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,643,308, entitled,“Spectral Shift Control for Dimmable AC LED Lighting,” by Z. Grajcar,issued on Feb. 4, 2014, the entire contents of each of which areincorporated herein by reference.

The circuitry or driving components 68 includes a rectifying device 80that receives current from an AC source 82 and includes a first group oflight emitting diodes 84 arranged in series with a second group of lightemitting diodes 86. In one embodiment the first group of light emittingdiodes 84 comprise LEDs that emit a single narrow band wavelength. Thisnarrow band of wavelengths includes wavelengths that are visible tohumans and ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths not visible to humans,including but not limited to narrow bands of wavelength in any rangefrom 300 nanometers (nm) to 800 nm. In one embodiment light having awavelength between 430 nm and 470 nm is emitted. Alternatively, thefirst group of LEDs 84 emit light having a wavelength between 620 nm 660nm. Alternatively, the first group of LEDs 84 comprises a mix of LEDswith some emitting light having a wavelength between 430 nm and 470 nmand others emitting light having a wavelength between 620 nm-660 nm,

In another embodiment the first group of LEDs 84 emit light at awavelength that increases the shell penetration of the light into theegg over other wavelengths based on the type and color of egg beingincubated. Specifically, certain wavelengths of light, such as 620nm-660 nm light has been shown to emit or penetrate through certain eggshells, including but not limited to brown turkey egg shells at agreater rate than other wavelengths of light, providing light energydirectly to the embryo at a greater rate than other wavelengths.Alternatively, the first group of LEDs emit white light or a combinationof narrow bands of wavelengths and white light.

The second group of light emitting diodes 86 comprise LEDs that emit asingle narrow band wavelength. This narrow band of wavelengths includeswavelengths that are visible to humans and ultraviolet and infraredwavelengths not visible to humans, including but not limited narrowbands of wavelength in any range from 300 nm to 800 nm. In an embodimentthe second group of light emitting diodes 86 emit white light.Alternatively, in an embodiment light having a wavelength between 430 nmand 470 nm is emitted. Alternatively, the second group of LEDs 86 emitlight having a wavelength between 620 nm-660 nm. Alternatively, thesecond group of LEDs 86 comprises a mix of LEDs with some emitting lighthaving a wavelength between 430 nm and 470 nm and other LEDs emittinglight having a wavelength between 620 nm-660 nm.

In another embodiment the second group of LEDs 86 emit light at awavelength that increases the shell penetration of the light into theegg over other wavelengths based on the type and color of egg beingincubated. Specifically, certain wavelengths of light, such as 620nm-660 nm light has been shown to emit or penetrate through certain eggshells, including but not limited to brown turkey egg shells at agreater rate than other wavelengths of light, providing light energydirectly to the embryo at a greater rate than other wavelengths.Alternatively, the first group of LEDs emit white light or a combinationof narrow bands of wavelengths and white light.

A bypass path is presented with a first impedance element 92 that in anembodiment is a transistor. In an example embodiment, the firstimpedance element 92 is a depletion MOSFET, though a p-channel MOSFET,n-channel MOSFET or the like can be used without falling outside thescope of this disclosure, even if an additional transistor is requiredfor functionality purposes. A first resistor 94 is also provided tocontrol the flow of current through the first impedance element 92 toprovide smooth and continuous current flow.

Connected in series to the second group of light emitting diodes 86 is asecond impedance element 98 that similarly in an embodiment is adepletion MOSFET. Similar to the first impedance element 92, the secondimpedance element 98 utilizes a second resistor 100 again to control theimpedance element 98. Similarly, also, a third impedance element 104 andthird and fourth resistors 106 and 107 are provided. In this manner whena dimming device 108 is electrically connected to the circuit and thecolor output of the combined first and second LED groups 84 and 86 arecontrolled as a function of electrical excitation. The dimming device inone embodiment is placed on the exterior the incubation chamber 1 toprevent heat from electrical circuitry within the dimming device 108from being conveyed into the interior 2 of the chamber.

By utilizing the circuitry 68 provided in FIG. 5B a minimal amount ofelectrical components, such as transistors, resistors and the like areutilized. In particular, excluding the LED groups 84 and 86, the circuitpresents less than ten electrical components, and in the embodiment ofFIG. 5B excluding the dimmer has eight electrical components. Becausethe circuitry 68 has so few driving components for the LED groups 84 and86, heat from these components is minimized. This is advantageous inmultiple respects. First, this causes the lighting devices 60 to haveminimal effect on the temperature within the incubation chamber 1.Additionally, the circuitry all lies on a single plane, minimizingoverall space, but also allowing heat from the substrate 66 to beconveyed directly to a heat sink and conveyed to desired locationswithin the incubator. In this manner if more heat is needed for certainindividual holding members 27, the heat is conveyed to provide thedesired even heating throughout the incubation chamber 1. In addition,because heat from the circuitry is minimized the LED groups 84 and 86are able to be in close proximity to the eggs 30 without causing damageto the eggs 30. Thus, light at predetermined wavelengths can irradiateall exposed surfaces of the eggs 30 and after the period of buoyancy ofembryos in the eggs 30 without deleterious effects on the embryos. Inaddition, by actuating the dimming device 180 and varying the intensityof the LEDs 84 and 86, the circuitry can be utilized to increase ordecrease thermal load within the chamber 1.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an exemplary spectral output from this drivingcircuitry. In this embodiment the first group of LEDs 84 include LEDshaving a spectral content at 450 nm and a separate spectral output at640 nm with greater relative luminous power provided for the 640 nm LEDscompared to the 450 nm LEDs. As shown a local peak 110 of relativeluminous power is provided at 450 nm while a second greater local peak112 of relative luminous power is provided at 640 nm. Even when dimmedto 5% these local peaks 110 and 112 are still provided.

A control system 118 is provided in FIG. 7 and is electronicallyconnected to the lighting devices 60, and in an embodiment is thecontrol unit 6 of the incubation chamber 1. The control system 118includes an input 119 for actuating a computing system 120 havingprograming 122 therein associated with a timing device 124. The controlsystem 118 additionally controls the dimming device 108 that iselectrically connected to the timing device 124 such that the programing122 at predetermined periods automatically dims the lighting assemblies38 to a predetermined light setting. In this manner the control system118 actuates the lighting devices 60 to provide pre-determined periodsof light and dark during a 24-hour cycle.

The control system 118 in one embodiment communicates remotely throughover the air communications, via Wi-Fi or other protocols as is known inthe art to provide lighting and dimming information to an individualhaving a remote computing device 128 or handheld device 130 having thecapability to receive such communication. In an embodiment the computingdevice 128 or handheld device 130 may be used to communicateinstructions to the control system 118 such that the control system 118is remotely controlled by the remote device 128 or handheld device 130.Examples of the remote devices include but are not limited to computers,laptop computers, tablet computers, smartphones, remote controls and thelike.

Thus, in operation the control system 118 is programed to provide notonly predetermined wavelengths or colors, in addition the timing device124 sets predetermined intervals for each day. In particular, thecontrol system 118 can provide sixteen hours of light during a day andthen turn the LED groups 84 and 86 off for eight hours. Then after theeight hours, the dimming device 108 is actuated to again provide light.The programing 122 can additionally be configured to then vary thepredetermined periods of time, including first and second incubationperiods of time and daily periods of time. Thus, for a first incubationperiod, such as the first fifteen days of incubation, no light isprovided. Then for a second incubation period, such as for days 16-21 ofincubation, the predetermined daily time period can go to a differentdaily predetermined time period, such as sixteen hours of light andeight hours of dark wherein the light is a predetermined narrow band ofwavelength, or wavelength or wavelength or wavelengths that promotehatching. Thus, during the incubation period of time each daily periodof time can have different settings of dark and light.

The predetermined wavelengths, predetermined incubation periods andpredetermined day periods are determined by multiple factors. Thisincludes, but is not limited to, relative intensity of the light, eggtype, including whether the egg type is species (turkey, chicken, duck,and the like), sex (broiler, layer and the like) or breed (Cobb, Rossand the like) related, hatch time, increased shell penetration and thelike.

FIGS. 2A and 3A show an attachment system 140 is provided to removablysecure the light supporting device 50 to the body 12. In one embodimentthe attachment system 140 has brackets 142 that receive the upperhorizontal support member 20 of the body to hang the light supportingdevice 50 on the body and stabilize the light supporting device 50 toprevent vertical movement of the light supporting device 50. In anexample embodiment each bracket 142 is C-shaped to provide additionalstability to the light supporting device 50.

In another embodiment as provided in FIGS. 2B and 3B the light supportdevice is hingedly attached to a vertical support member 14 of the body12 with hinge members 143 to allow access to the interior cavity 24 ofthe body. Again, the hinge members 143 stabilize and prevent movement ofthe light supporting device 50 when the light supporting device 50 isadjacent the holding members 27 in a lighting position, yet allows thelight supporting device 50 to be easily moved to a second non-lightingposition that is not adjacent the holding members 27. To provideadditional stability a magnetic device engages is secured to the lightsupport device 50 and engages the body to hold the light supportingdevice 50 in place. The magnetic bond between the magnetic device andbody is such that it holds light supporting device 50 in place, yet iseasily overcome by as a result of a worker pulling on the lightsupporting device.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2C and 3C, rail elements 144are secured to the body 12 such that the light support device 50 isslidably moved from aligned with the body 12 to the side to allow accessto the interior cavity 24. In particular, track members 145 are securedto the horizontal support members 20 and corresponding rolling elements146 are secured to the light supporting device 50 and placed within thetrack members 145. Stop elements 148 are disposed within the trackmembers 145 to prevent the rolling elements 146 from sliding out of thetrack members 145 when the light support device is moved from a firstlighting position adjacent the holding members 27 to a secondnon-lighting position that is not adjacent the holding members 27.

In all embodiments the light support device 50 is able to be moved froma first position adjacent the eggs 30 to a second position that is notadjacent the eggs 30 to allow access to the interior cavity 24 of thebody so that holding members 27 can easily be removed and inserted tofacilitate replacement or loading and retrieval or unloading of eggs 30into the device 10. An electric motor or device can similarly beattached to the light supporting member to automatically move the lightsupporting device 50 without manual force without falling outside thescope of this disclosure. In addition, contemplated is the use ofmultiple light supporting devices 50 including but not limited to onmore than one side of the incubating device 10 to allow maximum lightpenetration within the interior 24 of the body 12.

In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B the attachmentsystem 140 does not secure the light supporting device 50 to the body 12and instead is secured within the incubation chamber 10. In anembodiment the light supporting device has foot members 150 that engagethe floor of the incubation chamber 10. In an embodiment the footmembers 150 are secured to the floor through a fastener such as a boltor the like and receives a vertical support member 52 of the lightsupporting device 50 to hold the lighting device 50 in a predeterminedposition to maximize the amount of light going into the interior cavity24 of the body.

In an embodiment the foot members 150 are adjustable in height, eitherthrough a spring element 152 that is positioned between the verticalsupport member 52 and the floor to urge the vertical support memberagainst the ceiling of the incubation chamber 1 to hold the lightsupporting device 50 in place in spaced relation to the body 12.Alternatively, the foot member 150 comprises a screw element 154 thatincreases in height as rotated to again compress and hold in place thelight supporting device 50 between the ceiling and floor of theincubation chamber 1.

In an embodiment, shoe members 156 are secured to the floor of theincubation chamber at pre-determined locations and are of size and shapeto receive and secure the foot member 150 of the light supporting device50 therein. In this manner the light supporting device 50 is quicklyinserted into the shoe member 156 by sliding the foot member 150 thereinto correctly position the light supporting device 50. The height of thefoot members 150 is then adjusted to hold the light supporting device 50in place. When removal is needed the foot member 150 is lowered inheight and the light supporting device 50 is easily and quickly removedso a worker can quickly gain access to the fan element or other elementsbehind the light supporting device 50 to ensure the light supportingdevice 50 while spaced apart from the body 12 remains in close proximityto the body 12 to maximize light coverage within the interior cavity 24of the body 12 and on the eggs 30 therein.

The predetermined location of the shoe members 156 in one embodiment isbetween the rail element 9 and the fan element 5. In this manner therail element 9 protects the light supporting device 50 from contact withan incubation device 10 as it is rolled or inserted into the incubationchamber 1 preventing potential damage to the lighting devices 60. Inaddition, this places the lighting devices 60 in front of the fanelement 5 and in an embodiment wherein the lighting elements 70 aredirectional and reflective material is utilized, all light emitted bythe lighting devices 60 is directed away from the fan element 5. Thusthe reflection of light off of the fan element 5 causing periodic orflickering light that has been shown to have negative effects onincubated eggs is reduced, eliminated and avoided preventing negativebiological responses within the eggs 30.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 8 the light supporting device 50has an attachment system 140 that secures the light supporting device 50to an auxiliary device within the incubation chamber 1 such as thetemperature control member 4, the fan element 5 or a rail element 9. Inthese embodiments, the attachment systems can include but are notlimited to magnetic attachment, spring loaded attachment members,fasteners, clips, or the like.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8 the rest of the incubation chamber 1 is notshown and only the temperature control member 4 with the attachmentsystem that is a magnetic attachment 159 to the light supporting device50 is shown. In other embodiments the light supporting device 50directly engages the auxiliary device 4 or 5. Either way the closeproximity of the lighting devices 60 to the auxiliary devices 4 and 5allow heat to transfer from the lighting devices 60 to the auxiliarydevices 4 or 5 to regulate temperature within the incubation chamber 1.

FIG. 9 shows yet another embodiment within the incubation chamber 1wherein the light supporting device 50 engages and sits on rail element9 and engages the side rail of the incubation chamber 1. Again, the restof the incubation chamber is not shown for ease of seeing engagementpoints. This light supporting device 50 utilizes hook elements that hookinto the incubation chamber 1.

The light supporting device 50 is removable or secured in such a waythat it can be inserted and removed quickly and easily. In an embodimentwhere the light supporting device 50 is secured to the temperaturecontrol member 4, heat from the light supporting device 50 is directedto the temperature control member 4 through engagement of the lightingdevice 60, substrate 66 or heat sink to the temperature control member 4or alternatively through use of a heat conveying conduit. Thetemperature control member 4 is then controlled by the control unit 6 toensure the proper temperature within the chamber 1. By contacting thetemperature control member 4 less variance in heat through the chamberis accomplished minimizing the effect of the heat generated by thelighting devices 60. In addition, by securing the light supportingdevice to and/or in front of the fan element 5 and using directionallight elements and reflective material, periodic/flickering reflectedlight is reduced, eliminated and avoided preventing negative biologicalresponses within the eggs 30.

FIG. 4B shows yet another embodiment of the lighting device 50. In thisembodiment the lighting device is comprised of multiple interlockingsections 160. Each section 160 has its own set of lighting devices 60and is of size and shape to encompass a predetermined area within theinterior cavity 24 of the body 12. Each section 160 has an interlockingmechanism 162 to detachably secure to the other sections atpredetermined points of connection. When each section 160 is connectedto another section 162 a light supporting device 50 is formed that is ofsize and shape to irradiate the eggs in the interior cavity 24 from asingle side of the body 12. Electrical connectors 164 connect wiring 56from the individual lighting devices 60 of each section 160 to thelighting devices 60 of another section in a waterproof manner. In thisway the lighting devices 60 of all of the sections 160 are electricallyconnected and controlled by a single control unit 6 after they areinterconnected. By having individual sections 160, the sections areeasier to handle allowing for faster and easier installation andremoval. In addition, by making the connectors 164 waterproof the lightsupport device 50 can be cleaned during a cleaning of the incubationchamber 1.

In yet another embodiment the light supporting device 50 is built intothe incubation chamber 1 itself similar to the fan element 5 andtemperature control member 4 without falling outside the scope of thisdisclosure. This is as one-piece construction with the incubationchamber 1 or otherwise. In particular, during construction of theincubation chamber 1 the light supporting device 50 is made a permanentfixture with the incubation chamber 1 and positioned to align thelighting devices 60 adjacent to the incubation devices 10 such that whenall of the incubation devices 10 are within the incubation chamber 1 thelight supporting devices 50 are adjacent the incubation devices 10 in alighting position. In addition, by positioning the light supportingdevice 50 in front of the fan element 5 and using directional lightelements and reflective material, periodic/flickering reflected light isreduced, eliminated and avoided preventing negative biological responseswithin the eggs 30.

In operation, in one embodiment the light supporting device 50 isattached to the body 12 of the incubating device 10 or secured with anincubation chamber 1. In particular, in the embodiment where the lightsupporting device 50 is attached to the incubating device 10 theattachment system 140 engages the body 12 to position the lightingdevices 60 in spaced relation to the eggs 30 in the interior cavity 24of the body to distribute light throughout the interior cavity 24. Atthis time the light supporting device 50 is considered in a lightingposition. Because of the directional lighting sources and size and shapeof the light supporting device 50, the body 12 of the incubating device10 causes minimal interference to enhance the light output on the eggs30 within the volume of the interior cavity 24. At this point more thanhalf of the interior volume of the incubation device 10 is illuminatedby the lighting devices 60 of the light supporting device 50.

When the eggs 30 are ready for hatching the incubation devices 10 areremoved from the incubation chamber 10 and the light supporting device50 is removed from being adjacent from the incubation device 10 suchthat if operating light would not penetrate more than half of the volumeof the interior cavity 24 of the incubating device. At this point thelight supporting device 50 is considered in a non-lighting position.This is accomplished by either pulling the light supporting device 50off the body 12, sliding it away from the body 12, hingedly pivoting thelight supporting device 50 or otherwise to provide access to the holdingmembers 27 in the interior cavity 24 of the incubating device 10. Theholding members 27 are then removed and taken to a hatching device oranother location and new holding members 27 containing eggs 30 areinserted into the incubating device 10. The light supporting device 50is then placed back adjacent the interior cavity 24 to its lightingposition. If cleaning is desired, the light supporting device 50 can beremoved for cleaning purposes or left on the incubating device becausethe lighting devices 60 and electrical connections are waterproofed towithstand a power washing device.

In an embodiment where the light supporting device 50 is not attached tothe incubation device 10, prior to inserting the incubation device 12into a chamber 10 the light supporting device 50 is installed bysecuring the device between the ceiling and floor of the incubationchamber 10 or to an auxiliary device within the incubation chamber suchas a fan element 5, a temperature control member 4 a rail element 9, orthe like or a combination of these. This can include, but is not limitedto inserting foot members 150 of the light supporting device 50 intoshoe members 156 and pushing the light supporting device in place, thenadjusting the foot members 150 to compress the light supporting device50 between the ceiling and floor of the incubation chamber 10 to preventmovement of the light supporting device 50. Once installed, theincubation devices 10 are inserted and removed from the incubationchamber 1 as desired and the lighting devices 60 irradiate the eggs 30from a location spaced apart from the incubation devices 10. Still,through use of directional lighting, the light supporting device 50design and the positioning of the light supporting device 50 within theincubation chamber 1 the light supporting device 50 is in a lightingposition to irradiate in a narrow wavelength for predetermined periodsof time the eggs 30 in the interior cavity 24 to promote biologicalresponses within the eggs 30 such as increase hatchability and sexselection. The light supporting device 50 thus does not need to beremoved and additionally, because of water proofing of the lightsupporting device, can be washed as desired.

In one embodiment the lighting devices 60 are operating forpredetermined time intervals for a pre-determined period at apredetermined wavelength. In one embodiment the pre-determined timeinterval is 16 hours of light with 8 hours of dark. In anotherembodiment the pre-determined period is between days 16 and 21 ofincubation and the predetermined wavelength is between either 430 nm-470nm or 620 nm-660 nm. These ranges are for example only and otherpredetermined wavelengths, including wavelengths not visible to humansfrom 300 nm to 800 nm, and predetermined periods and predetermined timeintervals including as short as milliseconds can vary without fallingoutside the scope of this disclosure.

In a trial conducted by applicant, applicant provided lighting devices60 with a lighting treatment having predetermined wavelengths with localpeaks 110 and 112 at 450 nm and 640 nm distributed as shown in FIG. 6Afor sixteen hours a day during days 16-21 of incubation. Over many trialperiods with many different egg types the hatchability of eggs wasimproved on average over 6% compared to eggs not receiving a lightingtreatment during incubation (75.9% or 34,014 of 44,820 hatched having alight treatment vs. 69.8% or 31,554 of 45,180 not having a lighttreatment). Egg types included, but are not limited to cobb broilers,ross broilers, prime broilers, red rangers, special blacks, ISA blacksand the like. Thus applicant has shown that hatchability is promoted bylighting treatments of the lighting devices 60. In addition, becausehatching is promoted using a lighting treatment having a predeterminedperiod of only 5 days or during the 16-21 day period a lightingtreatment does not need to occur for the full 21 day incubation periodto promote hatching, thereby reducing the amount of electricity neededto promote hatching.

Further, by controlling the narrow band of light and the photoperiod,overall hatching time is reduced. Specifically, typically from the timethe first incubated egg hatches to the time the last egg in that samegroup hatches can be up to 48 hours of time. This means eggs must beremoved well in advance to hatching, decreasing the full incubation timeand making the process longer and unpredictable. By controlling thewavelength and photoperiod the overall hatching period is reduced fromup to 48 hours to less than 8 hours. By reducing the hatching periodefficiencies are improved, eggs 30 are in an incubation period for amore appropriate amount of time and overall egg production is increased.

In addition, by having the light supporting device 50 aligned with thebody 12 and particularly holding members 27 light is evenly dispersedthroughout the interior cavity 24 to maximize effectiveness. Similarly,by aligning the auxiliary horizontal support members 56 and the edge ofa holding member 27 again light is not blocked by the horizontal supportmembers 56 allowing maximum coverage by the light supporting device 50.In addition, as a result of the light supporting device 50 beingmovable, holding members 27 are easily removed and inserted minimizingthe effect on production time.

As a result of using and the arrangement of the driving components 68 aminimal amount of driving components 68 are utilized minimizing heatoutput by the lighting devices 60. In addition, as a result of usingdirectional LEDs 70, the lighting devices 60 are secured to the lightsupporting device in spaced relation to the holding members 27,minimizing the amount of heat conveyed on eggs 30 within the incubatingdevice. In this manner, the temperature in the incubation room can bemaintained and individual eggs are not altered as a result of heat fromthe lighting devices 60 to prevent potential harm to eggs 30.

Thus presented are multiple embodiments of light supporting devices 50that are placed in an incubation chamber to emit light of pre-determinedwavelengths and for pre-determined periods to promote biologicalresponses with the incubated eggs such as increased hatchability and sexselection. This is accomplished with minimal installation effort and inmanners that minimize the effect on other aspects of a commercialincubation chamber and facility such as egg retrieval and insertion. Inaddition, heat is controlled to ensure deleterious effects on the eggsare not realized and the system accommodates washing and sanitationefforts by workers within a facility. Therefore, at the very least allof the problems have been overcome.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions,magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in thisspecification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, notexact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistentwith the functions to which they relate and with what is customary inthe art to which they pertain.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow.That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as isconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in theclaims when interpreted in light of this specification and theprosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural andfunctional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intendedto embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement ofSections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they beinterpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subjectmatter is hereby disclaimed.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated orillustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedicationof any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, orequivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recitedin the claims.

It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein havethe ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions withrespect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and studyexcept where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another withoutnecessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or orderbetween such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,”or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusiveinclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus thatcomprises a list of elements does not include only those elements butmay include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to suchprocess, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or“an” does not, without further constraints,preclude the existence ofadditional identical elements in the process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises the element.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the bestmode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modificationsmay be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may beimplemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may beapplied in numerous applications, only some of which have been describedherein, It is intended by the following claims to claim any and allapplications, modifications and variations that fall within the truescope of the present teachings.

What is claimed:
 1. An incubating device comprising: a body having aninterior cavity; a plurality of holding members disposed within theinterior cavity and receiving a plurality of eggs; a light supportingdevice having a plurality of lighting devices emitting a pre-determinedspectrum on the plurality of eggs removably secured to the body toprovide access to the interior cavity of the body.
 2. The incubatingdevice of claim 1 wherein the light supporting device has a bracket thatreceives a support member of the body to removably attach the lightsupporting device to the body.
 3. The incubating device of claim 2wherein the bracket is C-shaped and engages the support member of thebody to prevent vertical movement of the light supporting device.
 4. Theincubating device of claim 1 wherein the light supporting device ishingedly attached to a support member of the body.
 5. The incubatingdevice of claim 4 wherein the light supporting device secures to thebody to prevent movement of the light supporting device.
 6. Theincubating device of claim 5 wherein the light supporting device ismagnetically secured to the body to prevent movement of the lightsupporting device.
 7. The incubating device of claim 1 wherein lightsupporting device is slidably attached to the body.
 8. The incubatingdevice of claim 7 wherein the light supporting device is received byrails on the body to slidably attach to the body.
 9. The incubatingdevice of claim 1 wherein the light supporting device is actuated by anelectric motor to automatically move the light supporting device toallow access to the interior cavity of the body.
 10. A method ofpromoting hatching of a plurality of eggs in a commercial hatchery stepscomprising: providing a sealed chamber for incubating a plurality ofeggs within a controlled environment; providing an incubating devicewithin the chamber having a body with an interior cavity that houses theplurality of eggs; securing a light supporting device having a pluralityof lighting devices to the body at a first position adjacent theplurality of eggs; emitting a predetermined wavelength of light on theplurality of eggs to promote hatching of the plurality of eggs; movingthe light supporting device from the first position to a second positionwherein the plurality of lighting devices are not adjacent the pluralityof eggs to permit retrieval and replacement of the plurality of eggs;moving the light supporting to the first position after retrieval andreplacement of the plurality of eggs.
 11. The method of claim 10 whereinthe light supporting device is slidably moved from the first position tothe second position.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the lightsupporting device is hidgedly moved from the first position to thesecond position.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the light supportingdevice is lifted such that a bracket disengages from the incubatingdevice.
 14. An incubating device comprising: a body having an interiorcavity; a plurality of holding members disposed within the interiorcavity and receiving a plurality of eggs; a light supporting devicehaving a plurality of lighting devices with a plurality of directionallighting elements to direct light within the interior cavity of the bodyand away from support members of the body of the incubating device. 15.The incubating device of claim 14 wherein the lighting devices havereflective material to reflect light toward the interior cavity of thebody to increase light within the interior cavity to promotehatchability of the plurality of eggs.
 16. The incubating device ofclaim 14 wherein the light irradiates all exposed surfaces of theplurality of eggs.
 17. The incubating device of claim 16 wherein thelighting devices emit a pre-determined spectrum on the plurality ofeggs.
 18. The incubating device of claim 17 wherein the pre-determinedspectrum is a narrow band of wavelengths.
 19. The incubating device ofclaim 18 wherein the narrow band of wavelengths are red wavelengths. 20.The incubating device of claim 18 wherein the narrow band of wavelengthsis between 620 nm and 660 nm.
 21. The incubating device of claim 18wherein the narrow band of wavelengths is between 430 nm and 470 nm. 22.The incubating device of claim 14 wherein the directional lightingelements are light emitting diodes.
 23. The incubating device of claim15 wherein the plurality of lighting devices have tubular bodies withreflective material thereon.
 24. The incubating device of claim 14wherein the light supporting device has a support member that alignswith a holding member of the plurality of holding members to avoidblocking light from reaching the plurality of eggs.
 25. The incubatingdevice of claim 17 wherein the pre-determined spectrum is selected basedon a pre-determined biological response being promoted in the pluralityof eggs.
 26. A method of promoting hatching in a plurality of eggswithin a hatchery steps comprising: providing a sealed chamber forincubating a plurality of eggs within a controlled environment;providing an incubating device within the chamber having a body with aninterior cavity with a plurality of rotatable holding members thatreceive the plurality of eggs; placing a lighting device having aplurality of directional lighting elements within the chamber in spacedrelation to the interior cavity of the body to irradiate the pluralityof eggs with light; rotating the plurality of holding members inrelation to the plurality of directional lighting elements to increasethe surface area of the plurality of eggs irradiated by the plurality ofdirectional lighting elements to promote hatching in the plurality ofeggs.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein the plurality of holdingmembers are rotated in a range between 0° and 30° from horizontal. 28.The method of claim 26 wherein the light irradiates all exposed surfacesof the plurality of eggs.
 29. The method of claim 26 wherein thelighting device emits a pre-determined spectrum on the plurality ofeggs.
 30. The method of claim 29 wherein the pre-determined spectrum isa narrow band of wavelengths.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein thenarrow band of wavelengths are red wavelengths
 32. The method of claim31 wherein the narrow hand of wavelengths is between 620 nm and 660 nm.33. The method of claim 30 wherein the narrow band of wavelengths isbetween 430 nm and 470 nm.
 34. The method of claim 26 wherein thedirectional lighting elements are light emitting diodes.
 35. The methodof claim 26 further comprising the step of reflecting light from theplurality of lighting elements into the interior cavity of the body topromote hatching of the plurality of eggs.
 36. The method of claim 26further comprising the step of aligning a support member of the lightsupporting device with a holding member of the plurality of holdingmembers to avoid blocking light from reaching the plurality of eggs.